Today we celebrate the 130th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, a truly great and authentic Filipino hero who fought for freedom and independence, and for the progress of our people.

Noong 1896, kasama ang isandaang Katipunero, inilunsad ni Andres Bonifacio sa Balintawak at Pugad-Lawin ang himagsikan laban sa mga Kastila. Isang malakas na sigaw ang nagbadya ng pagkakaisa ng mga anak-pawis at pagsilang ng Bayang Pilipino.

But Andres Bonifacio was also a warrior with a grand vision. He founded the Katipunan that spearheaded the armed struggle against Spain. At the same time, he was a libertarian who read and studied the great revolutionary ideas of his time. He was a man of the masses. He was the Great Plebian.

Halos isangdaang taon na ang nakalilipas nang unang pukawin ng mga Katipunero ang makabayang damdamin nating mga Pilipino. Subalit ang halimbawa na kanilang iniwan ay patuloy na nabubuhay hanggang ngayon.

Today, a new breed of Filipinos is giving Bonifacio the recognition that he richly deserves. It behooves upon us now to reinforce our political independence with economic progress resting on the solid foundation of national unity and spiritual solidarity.

Let us all celebrate Bonifacio Day in the most meaningful manner possible by contributing our share, individually and collectively, to achieve national progress. Let us, likewise, reaffirm our reverence for our heroic forebears who sacrificed their lives to ensure our nation’s freedom.

Ipinakita ni Bonifacio at ng mga unang Katipunero na mayroon lakas sa pagkakaisa. Ang pagkakaisa ay dapat magsimula sa sarili at mabuhay sa pang-araw-araw na gawain. Sa pagkakaisa lamang magkakaroon ng tunay na pagbabago sa lipunan.

Sa ating tumatamasa sa bunga ng tapang at sakripisyo ni Andres Bonifacio, muli nating alalahanin at isabuhay ang kanyang mga aral upang maisakatuparan ang ating mithiin para sa bayan.